Wilder than the Rest

MacLarens of Fire Mountain (Historical) #6

by Shirleen Davies

“A captivating historical western romance set in the burgeoning and treacherous city of San Francisco. Go along for the ride in this gripping story that seizes your attention from the very first page.”


“If you’re a reader who wants to discover an entire family of characters you can fall in love with, this is the series for you.” – Authors to Watch


Pierce is a rough man, but happy in his new life as a Special Agent. Tasked with defending the rights of the federal government, Pierce is always ready to tackle the next job. That is, until he finds out that his new job involves Mollie Jamison.


Mollie can be a lot to handle. Headstrong and independent, Mollie has chosen a life of danger and intrigue guaranteed to prove her liquor-loving father wrong. She will make something of herself, and no one, not even arrogant Pierce MacLaren, will stand in her way.


A secret mission brings them together, but will their attraction to each other prove deadly in their hunt for justice? The payoff for success is high, much higher than any assignment either has taken before. But will the damage to their hearts and souls be too much to bear? Can Pierce and Mollie find a way to overcome their misgivings and work together as one?


Read Wilder than the Rest, another heartening story of duty, honor, passion, and love in book six of the MacLarens of Fire Mountain.

Genres: Romance

150 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 23, 2014

About the author

Shirleen Davies grew up in Southern California. She attended Oregon State University, and has degrees from San Diego State University and the University of Maryland. During the day she provides consulting services to small and mid-sized businesses. But her real passion is writing emotionally charged stories of flawed people who find redemption through love and acceptance. She now lives with her husband in a beautiful town in northern Arizona.

Shirleen loves to hear from her readers.

Write to her at shirleen@shirleendavies.com
Visit her at https://www.shirleendavies.com
Comment at her blog https://www.shirleendavies.com/blog.html
Facebook Fan Page https://www.facebook.com/ShirleenDavi...
Twitter her at http://twitter.com/shirleendavies

Reviews

[Lcdk · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Wilder Than The Rest; Book Six' is an absolute MUST read for any romance fan out there whom may be looking for a refreshingly different and new read- especially those that love a historically-accurate twist combined with a great blend of Western influence. I would say that Shirleen Davis has essentially mastered the craft, every literary device is pulled off excellently at the right time and the characters are believable and clearly well-thought-out to the point that I found myself thinking about them long after I had initially finished the read.. The style of the writing drew me in at a quick and smooth pace, giving me clues as to what will happen next... Then it would suddenly catch me off-guard with a twist or turn that the author would throw in - there's definitely a huge susepense/thriller element to Shirleen Davis' writing, and it's one of the main reasons of why I admire this author so much. Ultimately, this read is the definition of what a good romance should be like, and I would recommend this to literally any kind of fans of the genre.

[K B · Rating 4 out of 5]

MacLarens of Fire Mountain books 1-6 Historical Romance
1. Tougher than the Rest
4 Stars
I purchased a copy of the historical 1878 Arizona set western romance Tougher Than The Rest (MacLarens of Fire Mountain Book 1): Naill by Shirleen Davies and this review was given freely.
Easy flowing with realistic characters, a fair amount of drama, some irony, and criminal activity, this instant attraction romance is a good introduction to the MacLaren family saga which follows the four MacLaren brothers and their aunt through love, loss, and everyday life on their family ranch in 1800’s Arizona.
After the murder of his parents and the loss of his wife during childbirth, single father and rancher Niall MacLarens’ vow to only have female business relationships with benefits are challenged when his Aunt Alicia takes in California bound teacher Kate after a stagecoach accident leaves her with amnesia.
Contains some violence but ends happily.
2. Faster than the Rest, Book Two
4 Stars
I purchased a copy of the historical 1800’s Arizona set western romance Faster Than The Rest (MacLarens of Fire Mountain Book 2): Jamie by Shirleen Davies and this review was given freely.
A suspenseful story of corruption, abuse and second chances combined with multiple romances.
Twenty-five-year-old handsome, tenacious, and love disillusioned US Marshall and locator of kidnapped victims, Jamie MacLaren follows the trail of kidnapper and bank robbing Miguel Hagan which leads him to San Diego and his ex-fiancé. who abandoned him seven years ago, the now wealthy San Franciscan, Victoria Wicklin who caught in the violence caused by her abusive gambler husband.
Contains a fair amount of violence but ends happily.
3. Harder than the Rest, Book Three
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the historical 1800’s set western romance Harder Than The Rest (MacLarens of Fire Mountain Book 3): Will by Shirleen Davies and this review was given freely.
Irony, fate, suspense, and tragedy.
Contains glimpses of life at the MacLaren ranch in Arizona, the story of Will’s seeking revenge for the murder of his wife and unborn child, a revenge filled scheme including cattle rustling, and a dangerous love triangle.
Five years after the tragic death of his pregnant wife Emily, the devastated and hardened Will MacLarens tracks her murder to Colorado near the ranch of Amanda Taylor whose ranch is being plagued by rustlers. Drew and Jamie arrive to help only for tragedy to fall.
Contains a fair amount of violence, multiple romances with some happy endings.
4. Stronger than the Rest, Book Four
3 stars
I purchased a copy of the historical 1800’s set western romance Stronger Than The Rest (MacLarens of Fire Mountain Book 4): Drew by Shirleen Davies and this review was given freely.
Pride, reduced self-image, greed, determination, and a whole lot of violence is contained in this book where each chapter goes back and forth between Cold Creek and Denver, Colorado with a few excerpts from Fire Mountain Arizona. The delivery is awkward at times using ‘the associate’, ‘the brother’, and ‘Connor’ interchangeably during the same scene making it difficult to figure out who was being referred to.
If you didn’t catch on with the descriptions and foreshadowing, the family expands with three more adult MacLarens as well as some Arizona children.
Bitter, paralyzed, and determined to both walk again and make Tess his wife, attorney Drew Maclaren forsakes the comfort of his Arizona family, and his dreams of horse breeding to return to Cold Creek, Colorado to further the interests of his Denver boss, Mr. Dunnigan only to find the neighboring ranches under attack.
Contains a lot of violence and many murders.
5. Deadlier than the Rest, Book Five
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the historical 1800’s set western romance Deadlier Than The Rest (MacLarens of Fire Mountain Book 5): Connor by Shirleen Davies and this review was given freely.
A then and now story relating the tragedies experienced by Meggie beginning with her kidnapping at sixteen in Brooklyn, NY and ending with her abusive marriage as fourth wife to a Mormon in Salt Lake City, Utah is combined with her brother Connor’s search for her, Conner’s falling for Mormon runaway third wife Grace, and a story of ex-convicts seeking revenge.
Contains a fair amount of violence, multiple ironic moments, two weddings and two momentous reunions.
6. Wilder than the Rest, Book Six
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the historical 1800’s set western romance Wilder Than The Rest (MacLarens of Fire Mountain Book 6): Pierce by Shirleen Davies and this review was given freely.
A bit slow with some suspense.
A good update and integration of all the MacLaren clan is combined with an instant love-hate romance, a second chance at love romance, a reunion with three more MacLaren cousins, and an undercover Secret Service mission to stop an assassination.
Tricked into being partnered as a married couple, new Secret Service undercover operative Pierce MacLaren and Agent Mollie Jamison fight their attraction to and frustration with each other while trying to solve a governmental case where the city of San Francisco’s High Society and banking are the only clues.

[Earlene Click · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pierce and Mollie

This is the last in the MacLaren clan. Pierce is a cousin and when he and his brother, Connor find then on Fire Mountain they all become one family. Pierce was a bad boy in his earlier life and now works for the secret service. He meets Mollie and he is smitten from then on. She is already an agent when he is talked into joining them on a mission in California. They head for California with an acquaintance, Chaz. They have lost of excitement and adventure. You will enjoy discovering how they find their happily ever after.

[Pamela Betts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second series I have read by Mrs. Davis.

She is an excellent author and story teller. She has built two towns now one in Montana and the other in Arizona. Now I'm on my way to California. I enjoy her books much more because the sex scenes or eluded to not a blow by blow description that I end up skipping over lots of the book.
I apologize to Mrs Davies for only two reviews, but 25 from one person in less than thirty days would have been a bit much.

[Connie Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbelievably good books

I just finished the last three books in this spectacular series, The MacLarens of Fire Mountain by the awesome Shirleen Davies. The six books where unbelievably fantastic. I’m so glad I found this series by this Author, can’t wait to read more of her books. Thank you Shirleen Davies for a wonderful series. Loved every one of them. I highly recommend this books.

[Barbara "Cookie" Serfaty Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wilder Than The Rest( (MacLarens of Fire Mountain Book 6)

The love story of Pierce and Mollie. Pierce and Mollie work as agents with the Secret Service. They assignment is to.pretend to be marry and find who want to kill the president. Can they save him with love burning in them?

[Norma Gorrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wilder Than The Rest

Another great book in this series on the MacLarens of Fire Mountain and their spouses. This story is of Pierce the youngest brother of Connor and Maggie who joined the Treasurie part of the government in bringing in the people who were causing trouble. This is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill

[John Boles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wilder Than The Rest

The last book in the series may be the best. I enjoyed this book very much and if I have any complaints its that this is the last book. I would recommend this book to anyone.

[Pat Comer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Series.

I loved this whole series,and everyone in it, It was wonderful, fun and whole bunch of good books. I couldn't say which one was the best, they are all good.Thank you, Shirleen Davies.

[Betts-Rosy]

I love all six books in this series. Book six was the icing on the cake.

[Tricia Drammeh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pierce is a Special Agent, tasked with trying to get to the bottom of a political plot in the thriving city of San Francisco. He loves being in the thick of the action. What he doesn't enjoy is having to work with Mollie, his determined, difficult partner. Mollie isn't too thrilled with her partner either. She sees Pierce as a distraction, and the idea of living in close quarters with him is infuriating. Will their mutual attraction get in their way of finishing their assignment, or will desire and love win over all?

This book is a bit different from the other books in the MacLarens of Fire Mountain series, but it still remains true to the core values in the series. Why is it different? Because this is probably the most complex book the author has written so far. As Pierce, Mollie, and their team uncover deep, dark secrets among San Francisco's most prominent business people, the plot twists and turns until there isn't a single character outside of the core team that the reader can trust. Almost everyone is suspected of having some ulterior motive. The author also delves into some of the political turmoil happening the nation during this historical period in time. At one point, I had to stop reading to marvel at how much research must go into the making of such a historically accurate, but still entertaining book.

I've probably repeated myself in almost every one of my reviews of the MacLarens of Fire Mountain books, but here we go again.. I can't get enough of this series or the characters. I love that the author brings starring characters from previous books into the current novel to remind us of how close-knit the family is. If you mess with one MacLaren, you certainly mess with the whole clan, because they will defend their own with their last breath if necessary. The brothers and cousins (and Aunt Alicia) aren't opposed to taking a loved one to task when it's needed. But that's what real family is all about. And the MacLarens are that kind of family--the kind who sticks together, stands up for each other, works to create a ranch where everyone has a place, and celebrates each new addition to the clan, whether it's a new baby, a new daughter-in-law, or a long-lost cousin they hardly know.

I give Wilder than the Rest (and the series as a whole) five stars. It's a series I'm proud to recommend.

[Deede · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a fan of Shirleen Davis from the get-go and have enjoyed every book in this series thus far, but I have to say Wilder than the Rest is definitely my favorite. Ms. Davis has incredible skill for creating these complex, relatable characters. Characters that you grow to genuinely care about throughout the course of the plot. In Wilder Than the Rest she really outdid herself, even for her own very high standards. Mollie was fabulous. Smart and headstrong, she gave as well as she got. And the fact that she and Pierce started out a bit antagonistic was fantastic to watch, their chemistry sizzled. Pierce, too, was a very multidimensional, very complex yet interesting character. At first he's very brazen, very cocky, but with a deft hand Ms. Davis reveals many layers to him, and like all the MacLarens Pierce, when he falls, does so deeply and with great passion.

Another aspect I loved about this book was the intrigue and espionage. Pierce and Mollie are at the center of a case and as the plot twists and turns I was left at the edge of my seat, at one point genuinely biting my bottom lip out of nerves. In fact, I got so invested reading this that I pretty much threw everything out I had been planning to do that day: dishes, laundry, baking, and ending up reading the whole thing in one go, unable to put it down. It was not a particularly productive day, chore-wise, but oh what an enjoyable one!

All-in-all Wilder Than the Rest is truly a shining star out of a series that has been well-written, compelling and heartwarming from the very first book. Shirleen Davis hasn't lost her momentum yet and I hope she keeps writing indefinitely.

[Efpierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my head, I have visions of the old west and San Francisco in particular. I see it very differently from the rest of the world, or so I thought. It has taken me countless novels from this author to realize why I like her writing so much. Was it the way she tells us a story and makes us feel like part of the book itself? Or maybe it's the way she introduces characters to us that make us feel for them and want them to stay safe when danger lurks close by or the way we plead for them to have that one more kiss making the scene that much more dramatic. It could be a combination of all of these for many readers, but for this one, it's the way she builds a backdrop for each of her stories. She doesn't just introduce new characters and rehash an old scene where we seem to lose interest in the setting itself. Shirleen Davies brings us an exciting world of intrigue, suspense, romanticism and rawness that is the old west. At least what I envision it as. Wilder Than the Rest may be the last book in this series, but I don't ever think that it will be the last we hear of this author. I am sure right now as I write this, she is hard as work on her next exciting tale of romance and dangerous interludes and it's for that reason that I thank her for all of her hard word and the entertainment she has given me thus far.

[Sarah Evanston · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all of Shirleen Davies' books and I am partial to them all even though I have some favorites thrown in for good measure. Pierce MacLaren is my favorite character out of all of the MacLarens! His arrogance is beyond compare and his special agent title makes him all that much more interesting! I really love the connection between him and Mollie and the way they started out was pure genius. None of that love at first site, they couldn't stand each other! With most novels, we can see the budding romance even in that type of meeting, but not in Wilder Than the Rest; I couldn't tell what was going to happen. How does an author do that? To write as many books as she has and still come up with something different that draws the reader in and keeps them interested with every plot turn and new event is an amazing feat!
I read this book in record time and I have already started re-reading it. The story line is impeccably written and the characters are brought to light in a way that makes us clench our teeth when something happens to them. I couldn't imagine what these stories would be like if they were made into a movie! I wouldn't be able to leave my seat!
For action, adventure and romance, it's Shirleen Davies and her incredible writing style for me!

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this story of the MacLarens of Fire Mountain series, we get to follow Mollie and Pierce as they are assigned a case to help uncover a dangerous conspiracy. Their uncertain feelings for each other creates a great deal of tension between them, and more fights than their job alone can bring their way.

Mollie was a strong woman who could hold her own, which is what I liked best about her, and Pierce complimented her character well by not trying to change who she was, while still staying close by to help her out. The ending had a cute and unexpected twist that I didn���t expect too.

I was happy to see some of my other favorite characters from previous books as well, and Shirleen Davies��� writing is entertaining and keeps you turning the pages to find out what happens next. This is a wonderful Western series and set of characters to invest in, and I look forward to reading more from her in the future!

[Katlyn Womack · Rating 5 out of 5]

And So it Ends... Sort of

Well, all six MacLaren men (and one MacLaren woman) have now had their stories told. This one being that of Pierce MacLaren and the woman he starts off despising from the beginning but grows closer and closer to throughout this book. The circumstances of their relationship are quite interesting. There is an interesting investigation going on throughout the story that would be good even without the romance aspect. Of course, the main story is them.

While this was the last of the MacLarens of Fire Mountain, Shirleen Davies introduced us to three new characters in this book that will apparently begin a new series all together. I look forward to the new series, and of course the contemporaries she has been putting out to keep coming as well. They are nice little stories to keep me going while waiting for the longer ones.

As always, I recommend all of Shirleen's stories. They are always great romances that keep me wanting more.

[Anari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pierce McLaren is a man on a mission. Trouble is, on his latest assignment he's been saddled with an unusual partner - a woman! And not just any women, either. A gorgeously pretty one at that.

Both are not amused to be working side by side, but the pay is too good to pass up, so each must suffer the other's company and concentrate on the job in hand.

Alas, passion blooms between them, hot and fiery, and neither has a clue how to deal with it, or how to still the tension that creeps into air every time they see each other...

There are lots of twists and turns fluttering around in this book of dark conspiracy and it will keep you guessing right until the end. The unlikely couple will have a job of the utmost importance to do for their country and they will need to learn to work together in order to both succeed and stay alive!

BRAVO! Another wonderful 5 star read by Ms Davies.

[Shel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wilder than the Rest, set in the late 1800s, is the sixth book in the MacLarens of Fire Mountain Series. While each book offers new insight into the lives of the MacLaren family members, they can be read in isolation – though once you’ve read one, you’ll be hooked!

Wilder than the Rest is the story of Pierce MacLaren, a US Secret Services agent working for the Federal Government. The story heats up when Pierce is partnered with agent Mollie Jamison, with a cover story of being married. They are both stubborn and proud, and the two of them clash horribly. Their investigation into a counterfeiting ring provides a fascinating backdrop to the rollercoaster ride they take toward romance.

As always, author, Shirleen Davies, has created believable characters and an interesting plot. Davies knows how to tell a good romance, and Wilder than the Rest is no exception!

[Jenny Cheese · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when a rough and ready gunslinger winds up working alongside a crazy and single minded woman? What will happen to them in the unstable boom town that was San Francisco in the olden days? I won’t spoil the plot, but all these questions get answered, and not in the straightforward way I was expecting. By the end, I didn’t know what was coming and I couldn’t wait to read the next chapter. As much a romance as it was a straight up thriller, I couldn’t get enough of this excellent addition to the MacLaren saga.

[Mikkel Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ending was to abrupt.

The story flowed along at a good pace and the introduction of the new McLaren s was timely. Still much like the Sackett series except later in history. The ending needed an epilogue. She did this in other stories, so why not this one?

[sharon trotter · Rating 5 out of 5]

MacLarens

I read all six in the series and enjoyed every one,a very good mix of love,mystery,romance I could hardly wait to start the next one very good author hope to read many more of your books

[Sharol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed re-reading this 6 book series.